Murphy holds slight lead in Senate race

Published October 18. 2012 6:15AM

Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A new University of Connecticut/Hartford Courant Poll gives Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy a narrow lead over Republican Linda McMahon.The survey shows that 44 percent of likely voters support Murphy, compared to 38 percent who back McMahon. Seventeen percent said they are undecided.The telephone poll of 574 likely voters was released on Thursday, the same day that McMahon and Murphy face off in their final of four debates.Poll Director Jennifer Necci Dineen said the debates have helped people make up their minds in this close race to fill the seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman. But she said negative TV ads appear to have harmed both candidates' favorability ratings.The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points.